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Interior design business moves to LaBelle

Florida man guilty in 2019 fatal shooting of 5 women at bank

A Florida man has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting five women at a small-town bank branch in 2019 and will face either life in prison or a death sentence during the penalty phase next year. Court …

Woman blames friend for forged checks

After allegedly cashing/attempting to cash two forged checks at a local gas station, an Okeechobee woman claimed …

OKEECHOBEE -- Work continues on the Okeechobee County Jail expansion. The first part of the jail expansion is projected to cost $22,657,092. Phase 1 is funded through at $15 million loan with a 20-year repayment of $21,597,205. Phase 1A is budgeted in Fiscal Year 2022/2023 for $6 million.The total cost of the jail expansion is estimated at $68 million. The county has not yet identified funding sources for the additional phases. At one time, county commissioners considered the idea of asking voters to approve a special tax to help fund the jail, but this will not be on the 2022 ballot.

Visitation in the jails has changed over the years

Having a family member in jail is difficult for anyone.

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Business Corner

SBA and SBDC work together to assist Florida businesses recovering from Ian

ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) today announced a new pilot program geared toward helping businesses …

LaBelle Outfitters is located at 274 N. Bridge Street in LaBelle.

LaBelle Outfitters clothing store offers variety, affordable prices

LaBelle Outfitters, a new clothing store opening Friday, July 15, is catering to the unique needs of the community.

January 2007 calendar, During the excitement of the holiday season, many people overspend. Bring this and other debt uder control often seems like a daunting task. IFAS Extension family economics programs are helping people regain control of their finances by providing money management tips for reducing debt. UF/IFAS.

Find Your Frugal: Five ways to save on banking, avoid fees

As interest rates begin to rise, consumers will start to see pros and cons to changes in their account terms.

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Community News

President Biden approves emergency declaration for Seminole Tribe

FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the Seminole Tribe...

Glades Electric partners to deliver high-speed fiber broadband access

Glades Electric Cooperative has selected Conexon Connect as a partner to deploy high-speed internet...

Hendry County to conduct aerial adult mosquito treatments

Hendry County will be conducting aerial adult mosquito control operations over the Pioneer Plantation and LaDeca Communities...

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Agriculture

AI-enhanced system detects bruised strawberries

If you’re perusing the produce section, you generally seek fresh, pleasant-looking fruit...

Giant African Land Snails have once again been sighted in Florida. [Photo by Lyle Bass/UF/IFAS]

Florida again battling Giant African Land Snails

Despite millions of dollars spent on eradication programs, Florida is once again battling Giant African Land Snails.

Sugar cane photo courtesy University of Florida Institution of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

U.S. Sugar employees to be featured on 'How America Works'

Mike Rowe’s How America Works pays tribute to some of the nation’s most vital industries while providing viewers...

The people of U.S. Sugar recently donated more than 2,000 crates of Glades-grown sweet corn across South Florida in partnership with Duda Farm Fresh Foods, C & B Farms in Clewiston and Robert Erneston Produce Inc. of Stuart.

Farmers speak out about political attacks

Members of Florida’s independent, family-owned sugarcane and vegetable farmers are speaking out following political attacks

Free starter seed packets available at some county Extension Offices

Following the launch of the new Unity Gardens Initiative by Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried ....

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Wildlife & Environment

Everglades National Park celebrates 75th anniversary

America’s iconic River of Grass is celebrating a major anniversary. Seventy-five years ago...

Science has been a lifelong passion for Jorge Rey

For Jorge Rey, science has been a lifelong passion. At the University of Florida Institute of Food and...

Most trees survive winds from hurricanes as strong as Category 2

As the heart of the Atlantic hurricane season approaches, a new University of Florida study shows most trees...

House passes Water Resources Development Act with Everglades and Western water provisions

“The TRCP works hard to ensure that the biennial Water Resources Development Act is not overlooked by sportsmen and sportswomen — or lawmakers — because...

Researchers show how forested areas affect water resources in Florida

When rain falls on a forest, some of that water is taken up by trees and other plants and released back into the...

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Veterans

LABELLE -- The First Baptist Church Trail of Life Group helped with the flag ceremony. [Photo courtesy American Legion Post 130]

Legion post holds Flag Retirement Ceremony

LABELLE -- On June 14 Dana-Howard-Weekley American Legion Post 130 held a Flag Retirement Ceremony at the post.

American Legion Post 130 hosts Memorial Day Services

FORT DENAUD -- American Legion Post #120 held Memorial Day Services in Felda and at the Fort Denaud Cemetery on May 30. …

Veterans David Williams and John Widdows have been friends for 53 years.

Veteran Williams adopted a duck in Vietnam

David Williams was born in Ohio but raised in Belle Glade.

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Weather

Tropical Storm Nicole may become hurricane when it reaches Florida

Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to reach hurricane strength before reaching Florida’s east coast later today or early on Thursday …

Be aware of septic & sewer conditions after flooding

The Florida Department of Health in Hendry and Glades Counties (FDOH-Hendry/Glades) is urging the public...

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Sports Around The Lake

U.S. Sugar donates sports equipment

U.S. Sugar has provided new soccer goals and basketball hoops provided at the Montura Ranch Estates clubhouse ...

Clewiston All-Stars softball team earns ticket to World Series

The Clewiston 12U All-Star softball team has earned a spot in the 2022 Babe Ruth Softball World Series happening on the Treasure Coast from July 19-27.

LaBelle All Stars play for championship

LEHIGH ACRES -- Wednesday, June 22 was an evening that LaBelle natives would not soon forget.

School District halts out-of-county enrollment

Open enrollment at some Hendry County School District schools is temporarily on hold due to buildings being at full capacity ...

Nelson to leave Recreation Board

Hendry County School Board Chairwoman Amanda Nelson announced at the March 7 school board meeting her retirement ...

Financial services program to assist school district employees

In an effort to attract and retain teachers, the Hendry County School Board voted 5-0 to offer district employees a new program designed ...

School district registering educational materials with state

The topic of state-approved reading materials in Hendry County schools came up for discussion during the March 7 regular Hendry County School Board meeting.

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Government

online exclusive

Clewiston City Commission meeting March 20

The City of Clewiston will hold its regular Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, March 20, at 5 p.m. at 115 W. Ventura Ave., in the city commission hall chambers.

Governor signs disaster relief and property insurance bills

On Dec. 16, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed two bills following the special session that took place that week. Governor DeSantis signed …

FDOH closures for the holidays in Hendry and Glades

LABELLE — In observance of the Christmas holiday ...

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Health

FDOH provides lifesaving Naloxone in Hendry and Glades counties

The Florida Department of Health in Hendry and Glades Counties is announcing the availability of free Naloxone (Narcan) …

DOH warns of the possible health risks of flood waters

Storms can cause flooding. Skin contact with flood waters does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk.

DOH to provide Naloxone to reduce drug abuse deaths

On Aug. 31, on International Overdose Awareness Day, the Florida Department of Health announced...

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Entertainment

CLEWISTON – David Phelps will be in concert at the John Boy Auditorium on June 6.

David Phelps concert set for June 12

The unmistakable sound of multi-Dove and Grammy Award-winning recording artist, David Phelps will be featured in Clewiston, on Sunday, June 12 ...

"The Little Shop of Horrors" production at The Fireside Theatre

Firehouse Theatre approaching 30 years of entertaining LaBelle

When a small dinner theater located in the Hendry Isles RV Resort closed in 1993, …

Firehouse Theatre presents ‘Barefoot in the Park’

LABELLE — The Firehouse Theatre will present a romantic comedy by Neil Simon; “Barefoot in the Park.” ...

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Traffic & Road Work

SR 80 construction update

Crews will be resurfacing and widening portions of …

Wheeler Road area surveying planned

Beginning the week of June 20, AIM Engineering and Surveying will be performing surveying services on Wheeler Road from 13th Place to 23rd Terrace.

Road closure planned

Ventura Avenue from San Jose Street to Francisco Avenue will be closed Friday, June 9.

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Opinion

State lawmakers pushing government secrecy bills in Tallahassee

Senate Bill 404 aims to exempt autopsy reports on child victims of domestic violence from public disclosure.

SPEAK OUT: Share your opinions

Comments may be posted on the newspaper’s Facebook pages, emailed to okeenews@iniusa.org or mailed to 313 N.W. Fourth Ave., Okeechobee, FL 34972.

Cowboy superstitions: Fairy braids, lucky horseshoes and unmatched socks

Cowboys are by and large practical folks, yet many still tell stories related to myths and good luck charms.

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State News

Def Leppard drummer recovering from attack outside hotel

Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen says he is recovering from an attack outside a Florida hotel. Allen was in South Florida earlier this month for a show at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. He …

'Don't Say Gay' lawmaker pleads guilty to COVID relief fraud

The former Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call “Don’t Say Gay” has pleaded guilty to committing $150,000 in COVID-19 relief fraud. Court records show that Joseph …

Florida mayor resigns over fund distribution concerns

A Florida mayor turned in his resignation during a tense budget meeting and said he made the quick decision due to concerns over the direction his colleagues were taking with city funds. …

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Nation & World

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin talk to each other prior to Chinese President Xi Jinping leaving after their dinner at The Palace of the Facets in the Moscow Kremlin, Russia, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)